REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Tuesday October 19, 2004

IT was a day of firsts for Gilston toddler Archer Moss.

With his boots and trusty spade in hand Archer played in the rain for the first time.

Digging holes and throwing mud at anyone nearby the two-year-old lapped up his new experience as he trudged among his family’s crops.

He got an up-close-and-personal look at what mud was when he fell flat on his face while posing for The Bulletin photographer. But that didn’t bother the happy tot who got up covered in mud and drenching wet.

”He hasn’t got a raincoat on because nobody has bought one for him — he’s never needed one,’’ said farmer Liza Mackenzie.

The former central Queensland farmer, who arrived on the Coast in 2003, said it was only the second time the property had received decent rain this year.

”We got about 9 inches at the start of the year and that’s been it.’’

While rejoicing in the rain she said more was required.

“It would be nice if this continued for a few more days yet.’’

After months of scorching drought, and more than a week of raging bushfires, the Coast soaked up more rain in one day than it had in six months.

The deluge dumped almost 140mm on the Coast — it was more rain than the city has had for the past six months.

Firefighters were able to put their feet up for the first time in a long time, farmers were praising the skies and residents enjoyed watching their barren back yards soaked with rain.